I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends

The Beatles - Was Yoko the Diabetes Monster?

Living with Type 1 Diabetes can be both physically and emotionally exhausting.  While there is little to be done about the physical ups and downs (aside from counting carbs and matching insulin), the emotional side is a constant tight rope act.  Sway too much to one side and you are going to fall down, down, into a deep abyss.

This is where having friends is invaluable.  All kinds of friends.  Friends that have been with you since grade school, friends that happen to be family too, friends from college and careers, friends that you met when you became a mommy, friends that became friends because your children are friends too and most recently, friends that you met because they understand the world of type 1 diabetes. 

This is an ode to all of those friendships.

After surviving a month of surgery, recovery, birthdays and vacation mishaps, my friends swooped in to pick up not just me, but my family too. 

The kindness has been overwhelming and so genuinely loving that I know it has helped to mend our hearts.

Yesterday, one my girlfriends called me and we did nothing more than have our usual conversation filled with laughter, stories and honest insight.  After the phone call, I noticed something.  I felt lighter.  Less weight around my shoulders and my neck.  I felt a smile on my face and even had a moment where I laughed in remembering something that was said.  The feeling was so freeing that I went about my day with little worry or stress.

The feeling lasted through a occluded tubing which normally at 4:00 a.m. would cause all sorts of anxiety and panic.  Instead, I focused on the fact that my friends would get a kick out of yet another diabetes mishap - because yes, this is our real life.  Occlusions happen. 

Friendship is a gift and I would be remiss without acknowledging their healing powers.

Anyone who knows me, also knows that I am a huge Beatles fan.  And as I woke up this morning, lyrics were running through my mind in anticipation of this post (which really is one big thank-you to you all.)

What would you think if I sang out of tune
Would you stand up and walk out on me
Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song
And I'll try not to sing out of key

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends
Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends 

Thank you.